Troy Tulowitzki never envisioned this. He grew up playing baseball the hard way. He went from a grass-stained northern California Little League kid to a Long Beach State "dirtbag." The only time he remembers treating an injury was icing his arm after pitching.

For the boy who idolized Cal Ripken Jr. so much that he named his boxer puppy after him, sitting out games while not on the disabled list has been a punch to the gut.

And also necessary.

His career, if not the Rockies' fortunes this season, hinge on how well Tulowitzki manages his surgically repaired left groin. He started 34 of the team's first 42 games and appeared in 38, leaving him on track to play in 146. That's about 16 fewer than Rockies fans, some of whom maintain a healthy vitriol toward the star, would prefer.

"I am right there with them. I'd love to be out there every day, but at the same time I am not capable of it right now. Some of those days off make me better in the long run rather than continually wearing myself down," Tulowitzki said. "If I played (every day), I would be more (vulnerable) to injury. I am sure it's tough for people to understand. I totally get that. But it is what I have to do. The (training staff) has convinced me, and I have seen over the last couple of years that it's the way to handle it."

There is a perception among fans that Tulo- witzki is sitting too much, a perception exacerbated by his clumsy "heavy legs" comment to explain his absence from the lineup May 3. Yet, he hasn't veered off script. This was the plan detailed in spring training, when he talked openly in February about "taking planned days off" for the first time in his career.

"There have been no surprises," said Rockies trainer Keith Dugger. "We have to manage the situation each day, and there are times if he's really fatigued that we have to rest him."

The primary issue, and concern, remains running the bases. Tulo still has discomfort at times, particularly if he strides out awkwardly while racing to first base. That's what happened in the seventh inning May 1 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. He legged out an infield single, and lingering pain from a left groin strain prevented him from starting five of the next eight games.

"For me, a shooting pain goes up my leg when I get too spread out. So when I lunge at first, that's probably the biggest problem. I need to just run through the bag," Tulowitzki said. "When I make that last jump to get safe, and you see it, you know I could be in trouble. I can't stutter-step. I just have to have my normal motion through the bag."

"We are overly cautious"

Reflecting on how he's handling his situation, Tulowitzki said he wished he had listened more closely to his father, Ken. His dad was almost always his coach growing up, and warned him not to overextend at first base.

"He would talk to me after games and say, 'You know what you're doing, but be careful lunging, it's going to take a toll on you.' For the longest time it was in one ear and out the other," Tulowitzki said. "Now it's caught up with me. I wish I would have taken what he said more seriously."

Tulowitzki had surgery June 21 last year to remove scar tissue irritating a nerve in his left groin. He rehabbed with the intent of returning late in the season, but his leg never fully responded.

His physical therapist in Las Vegas said he had only 60 percent strength in the leg at season's end. He spent the winter performing countless hours of strengthening, yoga and therapy.

There were no setbacks in spring training, creating the perception that he was 100 percent. That's not necessarily the case. He's not the same old Tulo. He's an older Tulo, who probably will play 145 games or so, not 162.

"We are being overly cautious," said Bill Geivett, the Rockies' assistant general manager.

Tulowitzki is a rudder, making missed innings, let alone missed games, difficult for the team. It can be argued that the Rockies lost May 8 to the Yankees because Jonathan Herrera dropped a perfect throw on Vernon Wells' stolen base, leading to the winning run. Tulowitzki has been the National League's best shortstop through a quarter of the season, leaving him pushing for his third Gold Glove.

He committed only one error in his first 163 chances — a play reviewed by MLB but not changed — and turned 22 double plays. He has had no issues with his leg while playing defense. Charging the ball, making quick steps laterally and throwing off balance remains fluid, which is why he's not open to any discussion of moving to third base as a concession to his injuries.